A city of museums

Written by Joanna kurth

Turku is known for its many museums. But how many exactly are there? This sounds like such a simple question, but it’s a really tricky one.

If you viSit the city’s website, you will find a list of 11 museums that are either owned by the city or a private foundation. These include larger professional museums such as Turku Castle, Luostarinmäki, Turku Art Museum, Turku City Art Museum WAM, Aboa Vetus Ars Nova and Maritime Museum Forum Marinum. They have educational programs, cafes and museum shops, and they attract a large number of visitors every year.

However, this list is incomplete as it does not include the charming home museum Ett Hem, the quirky little hospital museum, and some other smaller museums.

When you add up all the above, you get a total of 16 museums. But in addition, there are one-room exhibitions or history rooms that are called museums (which, from a museum professional's point of view, may not be such). Like Kakolanmäki Hill Museum, which is in an old building of a former prison and tells stories of imprisonment. Or the slightly more ambitious Finnish Scout Museum, or the home of nine-time Olympic gold medalist Paavo Nurmi, or...

Although there are so many museums in Turku, both small and large, both professionally maintained and ones run by volunteers, our city lacks a museum dedicated to its history. Strange, you might think, and we're inclined to agree. This situation will however change for the better, as Turku plans to open a new museum of history and the future by the end of this decade. History, the future, and a new museum

focuses on looking at possible futures through the city's history and examining history through the future. Finland is a leading country in future studies, and future skills have increasingly been seen as an important tool in understanding our existence. The idea of future skills as part of the museum's content, operations and educational programs has a wide appeal. That's part of what makes this a unique museum. The new museum will be built in Linnanniemi area on the riverbank near Turku Castle. The location has a long and varied history; in its center is the Castle, a defensive and administrative fortress from medieval times, surrounded by harbour and industrial activities and their colourful stories. The Castle was Although there are so many museums in Turku originally built on an island, which over time connected to the mainland. Most of the current Linnanniemi is landfill area. our city lacks a museum dedicated to its history. Currently, Linnanniemi is used for port operations. The land lease agreement with the Port of Turku ends in 2027, when the land will be returned to the city and the port will be relocated elsewhere. The Museum of History and the Future will be the vanguard for urban development in Linnanniemi as it will be first new building in the area. An architectural competition for the design of the museum is planned to be held in the fall of 2023, and the aim is to break ground in 2027.

Turku is the oldest city in Finland and one of the oldest in the Nordic countries. For centuries, Turku was the second largest city in Sweden. It is first mentioned in a document from 1229, and this is generally referred to as the founding year of the city. Turku is therefore heading towards its 800th anniversary in 2029! In the same year, the new museum building will also be completed.

The decision to establish a new museum was made in 2017. To its core, the new museum will be the city's historical museum, which An open and inclusive planning process

Just as important as the new building are the museum's concept and content. Working on these has been an open process – co-creation is an essential part of planning and setting up the new museum. Citizens and museum staff as well as external experts and stakeholders have

Visit the virtual exhibition “Luostarinmäki 1827”

all been included in the engagement process and the brainstorming of the content.

A lot has happened since 2014, starting with surveys and interviews, being active on social media, organizing open pop-up workshops and workshops for stakeholders, implementing participatory projects in suburban neighbourhoods, and displaying the project in pop-up spaces. As part of the planning process, a new cooperation agreement has been signed with local universities.

The contribution of all participants has influenced how we think about the museum and its implementation, as well as its goals and content. At the same time, public awareness of local history and cultural heritage has increased. The participants in all the activities have been enthusiastic to discuss and learn more about the local cultural heritage as well as to think about the possible futures of our common heritage.

A museum for Turku, about Turku

Turku is the cultural and economic centre of its region, and the third largest urban region in Finland. The Turku region attracts tourists thanks to its clean and diverse nature, breathtakingly beautiful archipelago, the city's long history and vibrant cultural life. The city's rich history is present, for instance, in events inspired by the past, such as the highly popular medieval market.

The challenges faced by Turku are shared globally. Through their expertise, museums can join in the work to solve these challenges. The Museum of History and the Future will be an ecological and resource-wise building, and it will serve as a platform for stakeholders with aligning paths towards a sustainable future. The need for new kinds of partnerships and out-of-the-box business models has been recognized, and the discussion on these issues continues.

The museum's operating model will be based on partnerships, for instance with creative industries and future studies. Citizen science, participatory practices and strengthening future skills will be at the Wander through the alleys of Luostarinmäki before the Great Fire in Turku. Explore the residential quarter and the landscape on the outskirts of the city from 200 years ago! digimuseo.fi/en

heart of the museum’s audience engagement. The focus will be on collecting and documenting intangible cultural heritage in the form of memories and stories about everyday life.

We believe that a museum must function and be present in people’s lives, outside its own walls. Digital services and content are important ways to achieve these goals.

On our journey towards 2029, we are keen to learn from the residents of our city, our partners and other cities. We want to maintain flexibility in our thinking: we are open to rethink our plans and change them. As a city, Turku has always been ready to embrace innovations and new connections. We want to continue this tradition.

Turku deserves a new museum – a museum that’s all about the city’s history and its future. s

Joanna Kurth is the project manager of the forthcoming Turku Museum of History and the Future.

MORE ABOUT MUSEUMS & ACTIVITIES:

kissmyturku.com/see-and-do